President Obama continued: "What I think all of us agree to is that we should have a criminal justice system that's fair [and] that's just.

"What I wanted to try to explain [in my televised address] is that this is a particularly sensitive topic for African-American families because a lot of parents who have sons know the experience they had of being followed."

The politician went on to discuss crime in the African-American community, and said that it is important for the US to maintain its commitment to justice.

"People should be treated fairly and the system should work for everyone," he added.

Obama's remarks were met with applause from the Tonight Show studio audience. He also discussed the current global terror alert, as well as more light-hearted topics such as his recent birthday.